Methods, devices and systems for identifying an individual to a pre-defined group

ABSTRACT

Methods for identifying one or more individuals as members of one or more pre-defined group based on a defining characteristic or name of the group include providing a garment including a material having fabric stitching that includes externally visible repeating source identifying indicia viewable from substantially all elevation perspectives when the garment is worn. Garments, methods and systems for using same, for example, in a multi-group environment, are also described.

BACKGROUND

A variety of approaches for identifying an individual to a pre-defined group and/or to distinguish between individuals of different groups in a mixed, multi-group environment have been proposed and utilized. For example, in the sports context, opposing teams competing against one another in sports such as soccer, football and basketball become intermingled with one another on a court or field in the normal course of play. So that players, coaches and spectators can quickly and accurately identify an individual player as being a member of a given team, opposing teams typically wear uniforms of different colors. In addition, officials of the contest typically wear uniforms of a still different color or color pattern so that players, coaches and spectators can readily identify an individual as an official. For example, officials of basketball and football games commonly wear a uniform having black and white stripes, and officials of soccer games commonly wear a yellow uniform.

Spectators of sporting events have become well accustomed to distinguishing players of opposing teams from one another by the colors of their uniforms. Indeed, sports enthusiasts typically have one or more favorite teams, and become well acquainted not only with the teams' colors and uniforms, but also become well acquainted with the individual players and coaches of the teams. However, there exist many other situations and environments where the identification of an individual to a particular group is more difficult, especially for a person who is not accustomed to being in that particular environment and/or does not understand the unique approaches that may have been adopted for distinguishing between members of different groups in a particular multi-group environment. This is perhaps best exemplified in a hospital setting where, many times, patients are not accustomed to distinguishing between different groups of medical care providers having different levels of training, experience, authority and the like, such as, for example, registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), medical technicians, interns, residents and medical doctors (MDs).

Various approaches that have been proposed and/or employed for identifying an individual to a pre-defined group in such environments include, for example, identification (“ID”) badges that include written information or color-coded uniforms. Many hospitals have adopted professional appearance policies that implement color-coding systems, in which medical care providers of different groups have uniquely colored uniforms; however, these color-coding systems are typically not consistent from one hospital to another, and therefore do not provide a useful role-identifying function to persons, such as patients and visitors, who are unaccustomed to the color patterns used in a given hospital. Therefore, these types of identification means have not been very useful in providing role identification to viewers in a quick, reliable, accurate manner, particularly in multi-group environments such as hospitals, where the viewer may be a patient or visitor who is unaccustomed to the role identification procedures in place in that environment, and may also be distracted and/or bewildered by other events and circumstances. Even members of the various groups in a multi-group environment might not be able to quickly, accurately and reliably identify members of other groups, which could create confusion and lead to unsafe situations. A viewer's inability to properly identify an individual to a correct group can result in, for example, patients in a hospital becoming confused regarding the qualifications of individuals upon whom the patient relies for medical care, or the like.

In view of the problems associated with the use of current means for identifying individuals to specific groups, new methods are needed which can aid viewers in quickly, reliably, accurately and confidently identifying an individual to a pre-defined group. The present application addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present application provides methods, devices and systems for identifying a role of an individual, and more particularly, but not exclusively relates to methods, devices and systems for identifying an individual as a member of a pre-defined group having at least one defining characteristic. The methods, devices and systems of the present application involve the use of a garment to be worn by an individual whose role is to be identified. The garment includes indicia viewable from multiple perspectives that identifies the individual to the pre-defined group.

In one aspect of the present application, there are provided methods for identifying an individual as a member of a pre-defined group by way of a garment worn by the individual that includes indicia viewable from multiple perspectives that identifies the individual to the pre-defined group. For example, an individual in a group having at least one defining characteristic wears a garment that displays a set of externally visible repeating source identifying indicia. In one embodiment, the set of indicia comprises a representation associated with a name of the group or at least one of the defining characteristic of the group. In another embodiment, at least one of the indicia is visible from substantially all elevation perspectives when the garment is worn by the individual.

In another aspect of the application, a plurality of individuals in a multi-group environment are identified to distinct groups having distinct roles in the multi-group environment. For example, each member of a plurality of pre-defined groups in a multi-group environment wears a role identifying garment when engaging in activities associated with the role in the multi-group environment. Each garment includes a set of indicia viewable from multiple perspectives that identifies the individual wearing the garment to the correct pre-defined group. All individuals who are members of the selected or identified pre-defined groups are prohibited from engaging in any activity associated with the role in the multi-group environment without wearing the proper garment. In one embodiment, the set of indicia comprises a representation associated with a name of the group or at least one of the defining characteristic of the group. In yet another embodiment, the multi-group setting is a hospital setting or other medical care setting.

In another aspect, the present application provides a system for communicating role identification information regarding multiple groups in a multi-group environment. One representative system includes (1) a plurality of groups of individuals, each of the groups having at least one distinct defining characteristic and performing at least one distinct role, and (2) a set of rules applicable to the plurality of groups, the set of rules governing role identification apparel to be worn by the individuals when undertaking activities associated with the roles. The set of rules requires each of the individuals in the groups to wear a garment that includes externally visible repeating source identifying indicia identifying the individual as a member of the proper group. The set of rules also prohibits any one of the individuals from undertaking at least one activity associated with the group without wearing the garment.

In another aspect of the present application, there is provided a garment that can be used to identify a role of the wearer. The garment includes a set of repeating source identifying indicia visible from an external position, and is effective, when worn, to display the indicia in a manner whereby at least one of the indicia is visible from substantially all elevation perspectives.

Further embodiments, forms, features and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and drawings included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Although the characteristic features of this application will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the subject matter of the present application, and the manner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures forming a part hereof.

FIG. 1 depicts a front elevation view of a first garment embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of a second garment embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3 depicts a front elevation view of a third garment embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 depicts a front elevation view of a fourth garment embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic front elevation view of an individual wearing three garment embodiments of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention can take many different forms, for the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

In one aspect of the present application, methods for identifying an individual as a member of a pre-defined group are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a pre-defined group having at least one defining characteristic and causing an individual in the group to wear a garment including a material having fabric stitching that includes a set of externally visible repeating source identifying indicia. The set of indicia includes a representation associated with a name of the group or at least one of the defining characteristic of the group. At least one of the indicia is visible from substantially all elevation perspectives when the garment is worn by the individual. In this manner, the garment allows for the identification of the individual to the pre-defined group to which he or she belongs by viewing the individual from substantially any angle within a horizontal plane. Stated alternatively, use of the garment allows for 360-degree role identification of a person wearing the garment. The set of indicia is effective in alternate embodiments to identify the wearer of the garment to the pre-defined group and/or to distinguish an individual of one group from an individual of another group in a multi-group environment. Examples of defining characteristics include but are not limited to job position, level of training, authority, responsibility and level of experience.

In one useful application of the method, the set of indicia is selected to identify the role of the individual wearing the garment to a viewer who is not a member of any of the pre-defined groups in the multi-group environment (referred to herein as an “unassociated party”). After the unassociated party is informed of the meaning of the indicia, the unassociated party is able to quickly, accurately, reliably and confidently identify the roles of individuals of one or more pre-defined groups by simply viewing the indicia from any direction. The unassociated party thus can readily identify the role of an individual with a single glance.

With reference to FIG. 1, garment 100 is a shirt, or “top,” that is composed of material 110 whose fabric stitching forms a pattern in which repeating indicia “XYZ” are oriented in parallel lines, with individual “XYZ” characters set apart by hyphens to enhance the readability of the indicia. In alternative embodiments, the hyphens can be omitted, and repeating indicia “XYZ” can be spaced apart to enhance the readability of the indicia. Material 110 can be made using fabric manufacturing processes known in the art. Because the back portion (not shown) of garment 100 is likewise composed of material 110, a person viewing an individual wearing garment 100 will see at least one of indicia XYZ irrespective of the angle at which the viewer is positioned relative to the individual wearing garment 100. Similarly, garment 200 depicted in FIG. 2 is a pant, or “bottom,” that is composed of material 210 whose fabric stitching forms a pattern in which repeating indicia “XYZ” are oriented in parallel lines, with individual “XYZ” characters set apart by hyphens to enhance the readability of the indicia. In alternative embodiments, the hyphens can be omitted, and repeating indicia “XYZ” can be spaced apart to enhance the readability of the indicia. Material 210, like material 110, can be made using fabric manufacturing processes known in the art. Like garment 100, the back portion (not shown) of garment 200 is also composed of material 210, therefore a person viewing an individual wearing garment 200 will see at least one of indicia XYZ irrespective of the angle at which the viewer is positioned relative to the individual wearing garment 200.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, indicia XYZ is oriented in parallel lines that are slanted relative to a horizontal line, and indicia XYZ are all oriented in the same direction. These features are merely representative of a manner in which indicia can be oriented in garments 100 and 200. In alternatively embodiments, indicia XYZ can be oriented in non-parallel lines; can be arranged randomly or in other non-linear configurations in material 110, 210; can be oriented such that not all of the indicia are in the same reading plane; can be oriented in geometrical patterns; and can be arranged in any other manner that would occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art, so long as at least one of the indicia is visible and readable from substantially all elevational views of garments 100 and 200. In one embodiment, indicia XYZ include numbers or letters having a height of from about ¼ inch to about 2 inches. In another embodiment, indicia XYZ include numbers or letters having a height of from about ½ inch to about 1½ inches. It is not intended, however, that the present invention be limited to these sizes, it being contemplated that indicia of other sizes can also be employed. In alternate embodiments, the indicia can be of uniform size throughout material 110, 210, or can be of varying sizes.

In the Figures, the characters “XYZ” are set forth in the pattern to generically represent indicia in material 110 or 210. The present application contemplates that a wide variety of different indicia can be included in place of “XYZ” in alternate embodiments. For example, in a hospital setting, a garment 100, 200 to be worn by a registered nurse, can include the indicia “RN” in place of “XYZ” in material 110, 220; a garment 100, 200 to be worn by a licensed practical nurse can include the indicia “LPN” in place of “XYZ”; a garment 100, 200 to be worn by a pharmacist can include the indicia “Rx” in place of “XYZ”; a garment 100, 200 to be worn by a resident can include the indicia “RESIDENT” in place of “XYZ”; and a garment 100, 200 to be worn by a medical doctor can include the indicia “MD,” to name a few. In another embodiment, the indicia can include other alphanumeric characters or non-alphanumeric symbols. In alternate embodiments, garments 100, 200 bearing a given set of indicia can be made to have unique color patterns. For example, in some hospital settings, current apparel policies require all registered nurses to wear clothing of a first color, all licensed practical nurses to wear clothing of a second color, etc. The garments provided by the present application can include a combination of such color schemes with the indicia described herein.

In another embodiment, the indicia can include information in addition to group identifying information. For example, it is known by those in the medical care industry, but not known by some patients who find themselves in a hospital to receive medical care, that the level of experience of a medical doctor is generally indicated by the length of the white overcoat, or “lab coat,” worn by the medical doctor, with longer coats generally representing a relatively greater number of years of experience than a shorter coat. The present application also contemplates embodiments in which information regarding the experience level of a medical doctor is provided in a more direct, and more widely effective manner. For example, in an embodiment in which garment 100 and/or garment 200 is adapted to be worn by a medical doctor, indicia “XYZ” can be replaced by a combination of indicia “MD” and also a numerical indicator to indicate a number of years of experience or a range of years of experience of the medical doctor wearing the garment. In one embodiment, in a garment to be worn by a medical doctor having 5 years experience, indicia “XYZ” can be replaced by the indicia “MD:5” or the indicia “MD:1-10,” for example, if a range of years of experience is to be communicated. The present application contemplates that this information can be provided in a wide variety of alternative ways, these being provided only as representative examples.

In other embodiments, depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, only portions of garments 300 and 400 are composed of a material whose fabric stitching forms a pattern of repeating indicia. Garments 300 and 400 include panels of material 310, 410 whose fabric stitching forms a pattern in which repeating indicia “XYZ” are oriented in parallel lines, with individual “XYZ” characters set apart by hyphens to enhance the readability of the indicia. In alternative embodiments, the hyphens can be omitted, and repeating indicia “XYZ” can be spaced apart to enhance the readability of the indicia. As with materials 110 and 210, materials 310 and 410 can be made using fabric manufacturing processes known in the art. In garment 300 depicted in FIG. 3, material 310 is located at multiple portions of garment 300, including arm portions 301, collar portion 302 and torso portion 303. Similarly, in garment 400 depicted in FIG. 4, material 410 is located at multiple portions of garment 400, including waist portion 304 and leg portions 305. With further reference to FIG. 5, garments 300 and 400 are shown schematically as worn by individual 500. FIG. 5 also depicts garment 600, which represents a head band or scarf composed of material 610 or a hat including a panel composed of material 610 to be worn on the head of individual 500. While garment 300 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 as including material 310 at each of two arm portions 301, collar portion 302 and torso portion 303, this embodiment is intended to be only representative of locations at which material 310 can be positioned. The present application contemplates alternative garment embodiments in which material 310 is positioned at only one of these locations or, at two or more of these locations, or at other locations on garment 300. Similarly, while garment 400 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as including material 410 at each of waist portion 404 and two let portions 405, this embodiment is intended to be only representative of locations at which material 410 can be positioned. The present application contemplates alternative garment embodiments in which material 410 is positioned at only one of these locations or, at two or more of these locations, or at other locations on garment 400.

While material 110, 210, 310, 410, 610 comprising indicia XYZ are described in connection with the above embodiments as being integrally formed in garments 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, in alternate embodiments, indicia XYZ can be affixed to a fabric or pre-made garment by other means, a variety of which are currently used in garment manufacturing, such as, for example and without limitation, imprinting, stenciling, heat transfer, appliqué, patch, embroidery or a combination of the above.

In another embodiment, a garment such as garment 100, 200, 300, 400, 600 can include both a set of indicia and a predetermined color to identify subsets of individuals within a group. For example, it is well known that there are several types of medical doctors including, but not limited to, physicians, residents, surgeons and various specialists. In one embodiment, the garment includes a set of indicia “MD” identifying the individual wearing the garment as a medical doctor and also a color identifying a sub-group to which the individual belongs within the group of medical doctors. For example, a blue garment with indicia “MD” can be provided for resident physicians, a yellow garment with indicia “MD” can be provided for surgeons, and a red garment with indicia “MD” can be provided for emergency room physicians.

In one embodiment of the present application, an individual is identified as part of a group in the multi-group environment of a hospital to aid in preventing to prevent confusion or misidentification of individuals by persons unassociated with the groups, such as for example, patients and visitors. In this method embodiment, a plurality of pre-defined medical care provider groups in a multi-group hospital environment are selected, each pre-defined group having at least one distinct defining characteristic and at least one defined role. Each member of each of the plurality of pre-defined groups is caused to wear a role identifying garment, such as, for example, one or more of garments 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600, when engaging in medical care activities associated with the role in the multi-group hospital environment. Each garment comprises a material that includes a set of externally visible repeating source identifying indicia that comprises a representation associated with a name of the group or at least one of the defining characteristic of the group. At least one of said indicia is visible to a viewer from substantially all elevation perspectives when the garment is worn by said individual, and each garment identifies the individual wearing the garment to the proper group. The method also includes prohibiting all individuals of each of the plurality of pre-defined groups from engaging in any medical care activity associated with the role in the multi-group environment without wearing the garment.

In one embodiment, the garment is a part of a normal medical worker uniform, such as, for example, garments commonly referred to as scrubs, lab coats, gowns, hats, jackets, vests, socks or other articles of clothing normally worn by workers in the medical field. In one embodiment, at least one of the indicia on the garment is visible from all perspectives by a viewer, such as, for example, a patient, a visitor or an outside authority such as a police officer.

In view of the above, it is seen that the present application provides methods, devices and systems for identifying a role of an individual, and more particularly, but not exclusively relates to identifying an individual as a member of a pre-defined group having at least one defining characteristic by providing a garment to be worn by the individual that includes indicia viewable from multiple perspectives that identifies the individual to the pre-defined group.

In one aspect of the present application, there are provided methods for identifying an individual as a member of a pre-defined group by way of a garment worn by the individual that includes indicia viewable from multiple perspectives that identifies the individual to the pre-defined group. In one embodiment, a method for identifying an individual as a member of a pre-defined group includes: (1) selecting a pre-defined group having at least one defining characteristic; and (2) causing an individual in the group to wear a garment including a material that includes a set of externally visible repeating source identifying indicia. In one embodiment, the set of indicia comprises a representation associated with a name of the group or at least one of the defining characteristic of the group. At least one of the indicia is visible from substantially all elevation perspectives when the garment is worn by the individual.

In another embodiment, a method for visually identifying a plurality of individuals in a multi-group environment into distinct groups having distinct roles includes: (1) selecting a plurality of pre-defined groups in a multi-group environment, each pre-defined group having at least one distinct defining characteristic and at least one defined role; (2) causing each member of each of the plurality of pre-defined groups to wear a role identifying garment when engaging in activities associated with the role in the multi-group environment, each garment including a material that includes a set of externally visible repeating source identifying indicia, and each garment identifying the individual wearing the garment to the proper group; and (3) prohibiting all individuals of each of the plurality of pre-defined groups from engaging in any activity associated with the role in the multi-group environment without wearing the garment. In one embodiment, the set of indicia comprises a representation associated with a name of the group or at least one of the defining characteristic of the group, and at least one of said indicia is visible from substantially all elevation perspectives when the garment is worn by said individual.

In yet another embodiment, a method of identifying an individual as a member of a pre-defined group in a multi-group setting of a hospital includes: (1) selecting a plurality of pre-defined medical care provider groups in a multi-group hospital environment, each pre-defined group having at least one distinct defining characteristic and at least one defined role; (2) causing each member of each of the plurality of pre-defined groups to wear a role identifying garment when engaging in medical care activities associated with the role in the multi-group environment, each garment including a material that includes a set of externally visible repeating source identifying indicia, and each garment identifying the individual wearing the garment to the proper group; and (3) prohibiting all individuals of each of the plurality of pre-defined groups from engaging in any medical care activity associated with the role in the multi-group environment without wearing the garment. In one embodiment, the set of indicia comprises a representation associated with a name of the group or at least one of said defining characteristic of the group, and at least one of the indicia is visible to a viewer from substantially all elevation perspectives when the garment is worn by the individual.

In another aspect, the present application provides a system for communicating role identification information regarding multiple groups in a multi-group environment. In one embodiment, a system includes (1) a plurality of groups of individuals, each of the groups having at least one distinct defining characteristic and performing at least one distinct role, and (2) a set of rules applicable to the plurality of groups, the set of rules governing role identification apparel to be worn by the individuals when undertaking activities associated with the roles. The set of rules requires each of the individuals in the plurality of groups to wear a garment that includes externally visible repeating source identifying indicia identifying the individual as a member of the proper group. The set of rules also prohibits any one of the individuals from undertaking at least one activity associated with the group without wearing the garment.

In another aspect of the present application, there is provided a garment that can be used to identify a role of the wearer. In one embodiment, there is provided a garment effective to aid an unassociated party in identifying an individual to a group having a defining characteristic. The garment includes a material having fabric stitching visible from an external position and a set of repeating source identifying indicia formed by the fabric stitching. The garment is effective, when worn, to display the indicia in a manner whereby at least one of the indicia is visible from substantially all elevation perspectives.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A garment effective to aid an unassociated party in identifying an individual to a group having a defining characteristic, comprising: a material having fabric stitching visible from an external position; and a set of repeating source identifying indicia formed by said fabric stitching; wherein the garment is effective, when worn, to display said indicia in a manner whereby at least one of said indicia is visible from substantially all elevation perspectives. 12-20. (canceled)
 21. The garment of claim 11 wherein said garment is made substantially entirely from said material.
 22. The garment of claim 11 wherein said garment comprises at least one discreet portion composed of said material.
 23. The garment of claim 11 wherein said set of externally visible repeating source identifying indicia comprises a pattern of characters.
 24. The garment of claim 11 wherein said garment is part of a medical staff uniform.
 25. The garment of claim 11 wherein said defining characteristic is selected from the group consisting of a job position, a level of training, a level of authority, a level of responsibility, a level of experience and a combination thereof.
 26. The garment of claim 11 wherein the repeating source identifying indicia are oriented in parallel lines.
 27. The garment of claim 11 wherein the repeating source identifying indicia include a set of repeating characters or sets of characters, the characters or sets of characters separated from one another by hyphens or by spaces.
 28. The garment of claim 11 wherein the repeating source identifying indicia include a repeating set of characters selected from the group consisting of RN, LPN, Rx, RESIDENT and MD.
 29. The garment of claim 11 wherein the repeating source identifying indicia include a repeating set of characters, the set including a group indentifying component comprising at least one letter and an experience level component comprising at least one number.
 30. The garment of claim 11 wherein the repeating source identifying indicia include characters selected from numbers and letters, said numbers and letters having a height of from about ½ inch to about 1½ inches.
 31. The garment of claim 11 wherein said garment comprises a plurality of panels of said material. 